The Virtual Bar

The Wall Street Journal recently published a fascinating online article the succinctly details all of the pitfalls of online dating the we at Eight at Eight have been harping on for years. We've been contending since the word "go" that online dating sounds better than it truly is. Jason Kephart, the article's author, gives us a laundry list of online dating realities that demonstrate the shell game, bait-and-switch of internet matchmaking. One telling quote from one of Kephart's sources: "Online dating sites’ biggest flaw is they don’t offer service of any kind. Rather, most of them function more like a giant virtual bar or nightclub."

Here's a taste of some of the other conclusions from Kephart's research:

• Everyone is lying about something.
• The total number of members on any given online dating site is grossly inflated, as many people, worn out from poor results, are "active" members of the community despite never actually logging on.
• "Getting to know someone" online makes fertile ground for predators. Caveat emptor...
• 10% of community members receive 90% of the correspondence, meaning the vast majority of people are pumping money into a no-service, no-results situation.

Put simply, the best way to meet people is to meet people, test the sparks, and see what happens. Eight at Eight has been doing it this way for over 10 years. Our motto says it all: a better way to meet people. Happy dating!

Can You Make it to Dinner Tonight?

The office spends lots of time making sure that 4 men and 4 women are scheduled to attend each event. That means the 72 hours before events, we reach out to specific members based on their profile if there is an available seat. Check out the good news below.....


Good Morning Elizabeth,

Thank you for thinking of me, but I am going to turn down the offer. I am happily in love with the man I met at my first dinner three months ago! Tell all your clients the good things happen at Zocalo!

-Jenny

Smart People Can't Find Love?

Do intelligent people have a harder time dating than those whose bulbs are a few watts dimmer? Alex Benzer thinks so, citing youthful ambition as one of the early stumbling blocks for the exceptionally bright.

We tend to agree with Benzer, as Eight at Eight sees our fair share of the high-level executives and entrepreneurs who never have time to date. However, we never considered it to be a pattern that extends backward to, well, elementary school. What do you think? Is being smart a detriment to your dating life?